Pope Francis has appointed an Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Ahiara in Imo State.
Most Rev. Fr. Simeon Okezuo Nwobi has been named as the Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese, and he will hold the titular See of Rusgunie.
A post on verified Catholic Affairs Facebook page on Saturday, reads “The Holy Father has appointed Auxiliary Bishop Of the Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the Diocese of Ahiara (Nigeria) the Most Rev Fr. Simeon Okezuo Nwobi, C.M.F, assigning him the titular See Of Rusgunie”
This appointment comes after a period during which the Diocese of Ahiara was without a substantive Bishop.
The initial appointee, Peter Cardinal Okpaleke, nominated by Pope Benedict XVI on December 7, 2012, faced opposition from certain members of the clergy within the Diocese, preventing him from taking up the position.
Cardinal Okpaleke was later appointed to lead the newly created Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia in Anambra.
The appointment of Most Rev. Fr. Simeon Okezuo Nwobi is a significant step in filling this episcopal role.